I love Autumn here in NZ for fly fishing. Cool, calm mornings and warmish days make for some great mayfly hatches ! Mid-morning - mid arvo are the prime times in autumn, when the water temps begin to rise and the fish become more active as insects begin to appear.

Low light days with glare become the norm and can make things tricky for spotting trout. Be mindful of where you stand in relation to the fish when casting as long shadows will now spook fish easier as the season is drawing to a close.

Stunning Southland Back country fish for Stu.

Longer finer leaders are required to keep your fly line further back from casting a shadow over fish. Small #16-18 nymphs ,emergers and dries are the go to now on the smaller hatch driven rivers. Nymphs with small hot spots and flash backs are great as the stand out more in the drift to trout.

Steve with a fine southland brown who fell for a small emerger pattern

Browns are almost getting into spawning mode now and are in prime condition. So get out and enjoy the last few weeks on our lowland rivers and streams !